Linking Compliance Practices to Employee Turnover Intention in the Jute Industry of Bangladesh: The Moderating Effect of Employee Commitment

Compliance practices in organizations play a vital role because it sets the boundary not only for the employees and workers but also for the organization to comply with the laws, rules, and regulations. It ensures the employee’s rights making them loyal to the organization. Consequently, the present study aims at investigating the relationship between compliance practices and employee turnover intention within the context of the jute industry in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the study examines the moderating effect of employee commitment on the relationship between compliance practices and turnover intention. This study is quantitative in nature. Four hundred (400) jute industry workers from Khulna city, Bangladesh participated in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from the workers. Correlation moderated regression analysis, and an independent sample t-test was used to test the study hypotheses. The study results show a negative relationship between compliance practices and employee turnover intention. However, a highly significant difference has been found between the male and female workers’ attitudes toward turnover intention implying that the female workers are more likely to leave the organization than the male. The results of the study are very significant and thus applicable to HR professionals, policymakers, and decision-makers in the jute industry. Keywords: Compliance practices, turnover intention, employee commitment, jute industry, Bangladesh. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/15-9-01 Publication date:May 31st 2023

Satisfaction Level of Credit Card Holders in Khulna City of Bangladesh

This study measures the satisfaction level of credit card users living in Khulna, Bangladesh. The study also examines the factors affecting their satisfaction level. Data have been collected from 50 credit card users living in Khulna city of Bangladesh through a self-administered questionnaire. After data collection, descriptive statistics (arithmetic mean, percentage) has been calculated to measure the factor-wise satisfaction level. It has been found that users are highly satisfied with the online shopping facility as well as its convenience to use. The weighted mean value of 64.16% indicates that the users are satisfied with the overall services provided by the issuers. After that Regression analysis has been used to analyze the relationship between satisfaction and the factors that affect the satisfaction. Regression statistics shows that 56.7% variation in the dependent variable (Satisfaction of the credit card users) can be explained by the independent variables used in this study whereas convenience, Online shopping facility, Benefits & rewards are found statistically significant in influencing the satisfaction of the credit card users. This research expects that the proper use of the study findings may help the credit card issuers to develop their services as well as increase customer satisfaction. Keywords: Satisfaction, Credit Card Users, Khulna City, Bangladesh

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers and Indigenous People in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, for the Treatment of Snakebite

Snakebites are common in tropical countries like Bangladesh where most snakebite victims dwell in rural areas. Among the management options after snakebite in Bangladesh, snake charmers (Ozha in Bengali language) are the first contact following a snakebite for more than 80% of the victims and they are treated mostly with the help of some medicinal plants. Our aim of the study is to compile plants used for the treatment of snakebite occurrence in Bangladesh. The field survey was carried out in a period of almost 3 years. Fieldwork was undertaken in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, including Chittagong, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari. Open-ended and semistructured questionnaire was used to interview a total of 110 people including traditional healers and local people. A total of 116 plant species of 48 families were listed. Leaves were the most cited plant part used against snake venom. Most of the reported species were herb in nature and paste mostly used externally is the mode of preparation. The survey represents the preliminary information of certain medicinal plants having neutralizing effects against snake venoms, though further phytochemical investigation, validation, and clinical trials should be conducted before using these plants as an alternative to popular antivenom

Paired growth of cultivated and halophytic wild rice under salt stress induces bacterial endophytes and gene expression responses

IntroductionUtilizing salt-affected marginal lands in coastal regions can help meet the growing demand for rice. We explored a nature-based solution involving wild halophytic rice (O. coarctata, Oc) and commercial rice BRRI Dhan 67 (O. sativa, Os) grown in close proximity to each other under salt stress.MethodsThis was to investigate whether a paired planting strategy could help complement rice growth and yield under stress. We also investigated the gene expression and endophytic bacterial profiles of both Os and Oc in unpaired and paired conditions without and with salt.ResultsPaired plants exhibited lower salt damage indicators such as smaller reduction in plant height, electrolyte leakage and chlorophyll loss, as well as higher K+/Na+ ratio under saline stress. Some of the 39 endophytic bacteria in the mutualism experiment were unique to Oc and transferred to Os when paired. Differentially expressed genes in leaves of paired Os versus unpaired Os were 1097 (994 up-regulated, 101 down-regulated) without salt and 893 (763 up-regulated, 130 down-regulated) under salt stress. The presence of Oc plants under salt stress influenced major biological processes in Os, including oxidative stress; chitinase activity; phenylalanine catabolic process and response to ABA. Protein binding and serine/threonine kinase activity were primarily affected in molecular function. The downregulated WRKY transcription factor 22 in paired conditions under salt stress played a role in the MAPK signaling pathway, reducing respiratory cell death. The upregulated auxin-responsive protein IAA18 gene, involved in hormone signaling and cell enlargement, was present only in paired plants.DiscussionOur findings therefore, offer insights into developing more effective cultivation strategies for sustainable rice production

Relationship of serum testosterone with coronary artery disease in young adult males of Bangladesh

The incidence rate and mortality of coronary artery disease is obviously higher in men than in women, which may be related to the influence of serum testosterone. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Laboratory Medicine in collaboration with Department of Cardiology, BSMMU and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka from March 2020 to February 2021 to investigate the association of serum testosterone with coronary artery disease in young adult males in Bangladesh. Total 110 subjects from inpatient Department of Cardiology were enrolled, 60 were CAD patients and 50 were Normal Coronaries according to coronary angiography report. In this study, 60 patients with coronary artery disease were compared with 50 normal coronary subjects. Mean age in CAD group and normal coronaries was 37.72±2.73 and 37.48±2.54 years respectively. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were significantly higher in CAD group. Total testosterone levels of CAD were significantly lower than those of normal coronaries (2.11±0.81ng/ml vs 2.94±0.78ng/ml). Among 60 CAD patients, 10 patients had single vessel disease, 17 patients had double vessel disease and 33 patients had triple vessel disease. There was significant association between the level of total testosterone and the number of affected vessels within CAD group (p=0.1). This study also showed that total testosterone level was negatively correlated with Gensini score. Serum total testosterone was significantly lower in patients with CAD compared to normal coronaries. Patients with lower total testosterone levels had higher Gensini score. Low level of total testosterone may be related to the develop- ment of coronary artery disease. BSMMU J 2021; 14(3): 67-7

How does sulphur availability modify N acquisition of white clover (Trifolium repens L.)?

The role of S in legume growth, N uptake, and N2 fixation was investigated using white clover (Trifolium repens L.) as a model species. We examined whether the effect of sulphate addition on N fixation resulted from a stimulation of host plant growth, a specific effect of S on nodulation, or a specific effect of S on nodule metabolism. Clones of white clover, inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum, were grown for 140 d in a hydroponic system with three levels of sulphate concentration (0 mM, 0.095 mM, and 0.380 mM). Nodule morphological and biochemical traits, such as root length, nodule biomass and volume, nodule protein contents (nitrogenase and leghaemoglobin obtained by an immunological approach), and root amino acid concentrations, were used to analyse the effect of sulphate availability on N2 fixation. The application of sulphate increased whole plant dry mass, root length, and nodule biomass, expressed on a root-length basis. N uptake proved less sensitive than N2 fixation to the effects of S-deficiency, and decreased as a consequence of the lower root length observed in S-deficient plants. N2 fixation was drastically reduced in S-deficient plants as a consequence of a low nodule development, but also due to low nitrogenase and leghaemoglobin production. This effect is likely to be due to down-regulation by a N-feedback mechanism, as, under severe S-deficiency, the high concentration of whole plant N and the accumulation of N-rich amino acids (such as asparagine) indicated that the assimilation of N exceeded the amount required for plant growth

Quality assessment of mized fruit squash: physico-chemical analysis, senory evaluation and storage studies

Fruits and vegetables belong to an essential class of foods that supply human diet with nutritive requirements including vitamins and minerals which are essential for normal body health and function. The study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical analysis and sensory qualities of mixed fruit squash. Carrot (Drocus carota), papaya (Carica papaya) and banana (Musa sapientum) juice were standardized to produce mixed squash which was stored for 9 weeks in sterilized glass bottles at room temperature. Marginal changes in pH, total soluble solids, acidity and vitamin C were observed. Estimation of vitamin C content (6.32 – 15.45 mg) of mixed squash showed high improvement in nutritional value of papaya juice incorporated with carrot and banana juice in squash. TSS (40.0 to 41.6) increased with gradual passage of storage time, which might be due to hydrolysis of polysaccharides into monosaccharide and oligosaccharides. The titratable acidity (1.25% to 2.97%) increased and pH (5.01 to 3.87) decreased progressively during the storage period might be due to the excessive fermentation and presence of lactic acid reducing micro- organism. The mean overall acceptability scores of more than 8 for mixed squash prepared up to 40% carrot juice incorporation with 40% papaya and 20% banana juice indicated the commercial scope for manufacturing good and nutritious squash from carrot, papaya and banana juice. However, the shelf life of mixed squash was established within 8 weeks. The product is recommended for children, youth and elderly persons to be used within 8 weeks

Quality Evaluation of Some Selected Commercial Honey Products Available in the Market of Bangladesh

Natural honey is one of the most valued items in the market due to its unique properties and diversified usages. To ascertain the biochemical properties of commercially available honey products in Bangladesh, an experiment was conducted at Entomology and Horticultural laboratory in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU). Honey samples of eight different commercial brands were collected and subjected to analyze analyzed on different bio-chemical parameters. Significant differences in nutritional qualities were observed. Highest TSS (total soluble solids) and total reducing sugar were observed in the product Premium honey brand of Australia, however moisture content, protein and ash percentage were found the lowest. Other foreign honey brands provided better results compare to some local originated honey products based on particular parameters especially for moisture and electrical conductivity. The results of this study suggested that although locally originated commercial honey products such as BSCIC honey, Litchi and Mustard honey from BSMRAU have meet some international quality standard level however other parameters like moisture contents and EC needs to be improved. [Fundam Appl Agric 2017; 2(3.000): 326-330

Efficacy of 1-MCP on the quality and internal structure of some selected fruits during storage

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Processing of mixed fruit juice from mango, orange and pineapple

The study was conducted to prepare mixed fruit juice by using mango pulp, pineapple and orange juices and the quality in terms of nutritional value, keeping quality, shelf life and consumers acceptability were investigated. Chemical analysis showed that TSS, acidity were increased slightly whereas vitamin C and pH were decreased gradually during the storage periods. Storage studies were carried out up to one month with an interval of one week and the result showed that all the samples were in good condition after one month, though little bit of faded color was found at the end of storage periods. Sample with 35% mango juice, 40% orange juice and 25% pineapple secured the highest score on sensory evaluation and showed the best consumer acceptance. This research reveals that perishable fruits can be converted to attractive mixed juice and thus increase the shelf-life, which increase value of the product. [Fundam Appl Agric 2018; 3(2.000): 440-445